Refrigerated case



Feb. 3, 1942. s'. B. NoRDsKoG 2,271,802-

REFRIGERATED CASE Filed Feb. 11, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3'7 euer/2in Rjlfords 9 9 ATTO R N EYS INVENTOR WITNESS freien-aareas-'1942 g 1 "UNiTEf ATNT;1 0-HCE '2,211,862 f arrarcsnsrsncass- Severin Nogesxog, cem minus A Appucangn rebmry'ii, 1,941, serial No. :n.439

' (ci sa-sas) 3 Claims.

VThe present invention relates to improvements in refrigerated case construction.. y

An object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated case of generally im-proved design.

Another object of the invention -is the proviedge or the wan is shaped to assume a down-v l lward inclination from thefront edge of the sion ofva. refrigerated case having an open top v enabling access to the entire interior chamber of the case.

-A further object of the invention is to provide an open top refrigerated case constructed to maintain perishable merchandise inproperly cooled and moistened condition.

Still another object of the invention is thev provision of a refrigerated case constructed to efficiently accommodate therein merchandise containers of variousY size and in varying ar rangements for display and storage.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a refrigerated case of the above character which is relatively simple and inexpensive in-construction and eicient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progl'eSSeS.

- the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout: v

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of the case,

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of'Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the case,

Figure 5 is a transverse section through a modified form of the case, and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, F generally designates the floor of the case which forms the bottom and base structure thereof and is constructed of a layer I0 of wood or the like having secured on the top face a layer I I of insulating material such as cork. On the cork layer II is mounted a liner I2 preferably constituting waterproof material such as porcelain orgalvanized metal.

' At each end of the flooring F is secured a vertical end wall I3 of insulated material such as wood and cork and covered by porcelain or galvanized metal. At the rear each of these end walls is formed with an upstanding rectangular-shaded shoulder projection Il while the top shoulder to the forward edge of the wall. At

the rear of the case is provided a vertical insulated wa'll I5 which is covered, at least at its inner side, with porcelain or like waterproof lining material, this wall extending from the baseforming floor F'to the top edges of the end walls.

The front of the case embodies a main vertically disposed wall section I6 preferably embodying metal-.clad insulated material extending from the floor and supporting on its top edge a trans- 1 parent panel I'I formed of glass or the like and arranged vertically the full lengthrof the front between the end walls. This panel may advantageously have a channel-shaped strip I8 on the top thereof, the exterior of which is preferably finished to provide an attractive and waterproof surface. y l

Supported on the top edges of the end shoulders Il and extending horizontally at the rear of the case is a board I9 adapted to provide a. relatively narrow full length shelf. Secured to the front edge of the shelf and depending therefrom is a vertically disposed bar 20 having its lower edge terminating on the inner end portions brackets 22 attached to and depending from the vertical bar 20. At the center of the case is a provided a transverse brace bar 23 secured to vthe rear wall I5 and to the upper edge of the front wall, as shown to advantage at Figure 2.

In the upper rear-portion of the case enclosure is mounted a refrigerating coil 24 embodying two horizontal six-tube rows extending transversely from the rear wall for a distance less than half the width of the case, the top row being disposed so that it is approximately level but not above the top edge of the front wall of cooling tubes 29. A drain trough 30 is mounted below the coil 2l and has an outlet communicating with a drain conduit 3| disposed to carry water to the drain outlet 21. The refrigerator coils 24 and 28 extend longitudinally the full length of the case and connect with a suitable refrigerating unit of known suitable type.

In the upper portion of the case is mounted a pair of transversely spaced parallel angle irons 32 extending longitudinally between Vthe end walls and arranged to removably support thereon a plurality of containers 33 which may advantageously be in the form of rectangularshaped wire baskets. At a lower plane in the chamber is mounted another complementary pair of angle irons 34 adapted to support baskets 35 thereon in a position between the upper baskets 33 and the bottom of the case, as best shown at Figure 2. In the upper rear portion of the case structure are provided, at longitudinally spaced intervals, illuminating means 36 which may be in the form of electric -lamps arranged immediately below the top shelf I9 on the rear wall to illuminate the top portion and the 'interior of the case.

This construction provides an elongated rectangular-shaped case of box-like configuration forming a single interior enclosure or chamber extending from the base to the top and, through the medium of the container supports, providing top, intermediate and bottom zones. 'Ihe top of the case is mainly open to afford eilicient visibility of the merchandise therein and convenient accessibility to the interior thereof. The dimensions of the case are such as to provide a relatively large chamber enabling, however, the reaching of merchandise at any position therein. It is'advantageous that the top containers 33 be spaced apart longitudinally so that merchandise in the intermediate containers 35 may be viewed from the top of the case. This enables attractive display as well as convenient access thereto for removal of perishable merchandise from the baskets and the storage zone, by sliding the con- I tainers longitudinally on their supports. The arrangement of the refrigerating coils, one at the upper rear portion slightly below the top edge of the front wall and another coil at the front of the chamber adjacent the inner side of the front wall at an intermediate height below the transparent panel, is such as to effect limited circulation of air for most efficient cooling of the merchandise while retaining the same in properly hydrated condition. Thus, the warm air from the exterior is induced to flow downwardly at the rear top portion through the respective zones of the chamber and forwardly thereof while the front relatively low coil tends to retard the flow and prevent excessive circulation. In consequence thereof a blanket or well or refrigerated air is maintained upon the merchandise at the top zone while excessive over? ilow with relation to the top edge of the front wall is avoided. By providing a relatively deep chamber, as distinguished fromtop bins or counters heretofore commonly employed, the present construction utilizes the refrigeration to cool a storage zone of relatively large capacity at the base of the structure in addition to effective cooling of the top and intermediate zones of the chamber. Furthermore, this construction eliminates the necessity of providing doors or partitions so that relatively uniform cooling and condensation of moisture is attained. While excessive circulation and attendant unfavorable humidity conditions are avoided sumcient circulation for the introduction of required .quantities of fresh air is maintained so that the perishable merchandise, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products, vcan be preserved in fresh, crisp condition for a considerable period of time. Goods of a less perishable nature may be placed for display upon the intermediate or mezzanine shelf 2| while other merchandise, such as packaged goods, not requiring refrigeration, may be placed upon the top shelf Il. Y

A modified form of the device, illustrated at Figures 5 and 6 is designed particularly for display and preservation of perishable flowers. The case, indicated at 31, generally corresponds to the case of the form hereinbefore described with the exception that the front wall 3l is slightly higher to provide a wider glass panel 3l.

At the upper rear portion of the enclosure of this case is mounte'darefrigerating coil 45, in the present, example constituting a twelve-tube unit arranged in a vertic row and extending longitudinally of the case c 'amber adjacent the rear Wall. The top of this coil is approximately level with the top edge of the front wall panel but is no higher. A drip trough 4l is arranged below the coil and drains' through a pipe 42 t'o a drain outlet `43.

A complementary coil 44 of similar multi-tube construction is arranged to extend longitudinally in a vertical position adjacent the front wall below the transparent panel 35.

In the upper portion of the chamber of the case 31 are mounted a pair of transversely spaced vangle bars 45 slidably supporting thereon a plurality of rectangular-shaped trays or shelves 45. Similar angle bars 41 arranged intermediate the bars 45 and the bottom of the case are adapted to support trays 48 at an intermdia-te zone in the chamber.

A vertically arranged longitudinally extending plate 49 is mounted parallel with the inner side of the cooling coil 40, this plate having an angular top flange 5|! engaging the upper edge of a longitudinal support bar l5l and having a channel strip 52 secured to its lower marginal portion engaging the upstanding flange of one of the angle bars 45. This plate serves to prevent contact of the nowers with the coil tubes and to deflect .the refrigerated air flowing from the coil.

As shown to advantage at Figure 6 it is customary to maintain perishable flowers in con# tainers or cans of varying height, a relatively tall canv 53 being employed for long-stemmed flowers, a medium height can -54 for flowers having stems of medium length and a short can 55 for flowers with short stems. Vessels of this nature containing flowers may advantageously be arranged in the chamber of the case 31 by disposing the tall cans on the floor or base of the case, the intermediate cans 54 on the trays 48 supported on the intermediate support angles 41 and the short cans on the top trays 45. Such an arrangement will enable advantageous display of the flowers with highly efficient refrigeration t'o maintain the same in fresh condition for comparatively long periods of time and will enable convenient removal through the open top of the case.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred and modified examples c' Iaariosas the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a refrigerator case, a rectangular shaped body including a horizontal iioor, front, rear and end walls extending vertically from the said floor, the said floor and walls defining a refrigerating chamber open at the top, the top of the front wall being lower than the top of the rear wall, a shelf extending horizontally from the rear wall in a plane approximately level with the top of the front wall, a horizontally disposed refrigerating coil extending longitudinally of the case immediately below the said shelf, and a longitudinally extending row coil supported in a vertical plane adjacent the limer side of the frontwall in a position spaced from the top and bottom of the said front wall and substantially `below the level of the rear horizontal coil.

2. In a refrigerator case, a rectangular shaped body including a horizontal floor, front, rear and end walls extending vertically from the said iioor, the said floor and walls defining a refrigerating chamber open at the top, the top of the front wall being lower than the top of the rear wall, a shelf extending horizontally from the rear wall in a plane approximately level with the top of the front wall, a horizontally disposed refrigerating coil extending longitudinally of the case immediately below the said shelf, and a longitudinally extending row coil supported in a vertical plane adjacent the inner side of the front wall in a position spaced from the top and bottom of the said front wall and substantially below the level of the rear horizontal coil, Iand a longitudinally extending drip and defiecting pan mounted below the said rear coil.

3. In a refrigerator case, a rectangular shaped body including a horizontal floor, front, rear and end Walls extending vertically from the said oor, the said 'oor and walls defining a refrigeratlng chamber open at the top, ,the top of the front wall being lower than the top of the rear wall, a shelf extending horizontally from the rear Wall in a plane approximately level with the top of the front wall, a horizontally disposed refrigerating coil extending longitudinally of the case immediately below the said shelf, and a longitudinally extending row coil supported in a vertical plane adjacent the inner side of the front wall in a position spaced from the top and bottom ofthe said front wall and substantially below the level of the rear horizontal coil, and a longitudinally extending drip and deecting pan mounted below the said rear coil, and a drip collecting' and deflecting strip-mounted below the front coil of the case.

SEVERIN B. NORDSKOG. 

